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Ho Chi Minh City vs Kuala Lumpur

Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

The view of the front of Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City
$1,128/month · Vietnam
Balon Greyjoy · CC0
The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
Ho Chi Minh City monthly
$1,128
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+4%
Kuala Lumpur relative to Ho Chi Minh City
Rent gap
$50
Kuala Lumpur costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Ho Chi Minh CityKuala Lumpur
  • Housing
    Housing: Ho Chi Minh City $550, Kuala Lumpur $600. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Food
    Food: Ho Chi Minh City $308, Kuala Lumpur $300. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Ho Chi Minh City $53, Kuala Lumpur $40. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Ho Chi Minh City $77, Kuala Lumpur $86. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Ho Chi Minh City $14, Kuala Lumpur $14. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Ho Chi Minh City $84, Kuala Lumpur $90. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Other
    Other: Ho Chi Minh City $43, Kuala Lumpur $42. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricHo Chi Minh CityKuala Lumpur
Cost
Total monthly cost1,128 USD✓1,171 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓18
Housing550 USD✓600 USD
Utilities77 USD✓86 USD
Food308 USD300 USD✓
Transport53 USD40 USD✓
Healthcare14 USD✓14 USD
Lifestyle84 USD✓90 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,789 USD✓5,698 USD
Effective tax + social rate30.5%✓31.6%
Left over each month4,660 USD✓4,527 USD
Average local net salary550 USD1,000 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD✓600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,200 USD✓1,300 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,800 USD2,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety62/10068/100✓
Healthcare60/10076/100✓
Air quality36/10050/100✓
Public transport30/10070/100✓
Walkability52/10058/100✓
English proficiency32/10084/100✓
Nightlife86/100✓72/100
Family friendliness62/10074/100✓
Median broadband150 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high34°C33°C✓
Winter low22°C23°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall1900 mm✓2500 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access120 min60 min✓
CurrencyVNDMYR
Time zoneAsia/Ho_Chi_MinhAsia/Kuala_Lumpur

Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh CityCost of living in Kuala LumpurConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Kuala Lumpur cheaper?

Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Kuala Lumpur compared with Ho Chi Minh City?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,789 a month in Ho Chi Minh City and $5,698 in Kuala Lumpur, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Ho Chi Minh City or Kuala Lumpur?

Ho Chi Minh City scores 62/100 on safety and 60/100 on healthcare; Kuala Lumpur scores 68 and 76. Ho Chi Minh City averages 28°C against 28°C in Kuala Lumpur.